Coinbase Supported and Restricted Countries in 2025

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Coinbase is one of the world’s most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges, serving over 66 million monthly users across more than 100 countries. As a publicly traded company listed on Nasdaq (COIN), Coinbase operates under a robust compliance framework designed to meet international regulatory standards while offering a wide range of services—from spot trading and staking to advanced derivatives like perpetual futures.

However, due to varying global regulations and U.S. sanctions, access to Coinbase is not uniform worldwide. The platform restricts services in certain high-risk or sanctioned regions, including Russia, Iran, and parts of the Middle East. Meanwhile, it continues to expand strategically in compliant markets and has become one of the first major exchanges fully aligned with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.

This guide explores where Coinbase is available, which countries face restrictions, how regulations shape feature availability, and what users need to know about compliance, licensing, and identity verification.

Where Is Coinbase Available?

Coinbase supports customers in over 100 countries, leveraging localized compliance protocols to offer region-specific features. While its core services—buying, selling, and storing cryptocurrencies—are widely accessible, advanced offerings such as Coinbase Card, staking, and perpetual futures depend on local laws.

According to Similarweb data, the largest user bases by traffic are:

These figures reflect both regulatory alignment and market demand, with North America and Western Europe forming the backbone of Coinbase’s global presence.

👉 Discover how global crypto platforms adapt to regional regulations and unlock new opportunities.

Countries Restricted by Coinbase

Coinbase complies with U.S. Treasury Department sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which means it blocks access from regions under economic or political sanctions. While Coinbase does not publish an official list of banned countries, user reports and regional website behavior indicate restricted access in the following areas:

Restricted Regions by Geography

Note: Restrictions may apply only to specific products. For example, while Indian users can access basic trading, full service was suspended in 2023 due to tax reporting requirements. However, Coinbase is actively seeking re-entry into India through regulatory engagement.

The absence of a transparent blacklist underscores the importance of checking account eligibility directly within the app or website based on your location.

Regulatory Compliance: How Coinbase Adapts Globally

To operate across diverse legal environments, Coinbase maintains licenses and registrations with top-tier financial regulators:

This multi-jurisdictional approach ensures adherence to anti-money laundering (AML), consumer protection, and capital reserve rules.

MiCA Compliance in the European Union

As of late 2024, Coinbase became fully compliant with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation—a landmark framework for digital assets in the EU. To meet MiCA standards:

This shift reinforces Coinbase’s commitment to regulatory clarity and investor safety in Europe.

Feature Availability: Perpetual Futures and Staking

Not all Coinbase features are universally accessible. Two key offerings—perpetual futures and staking—are subject to regional limitations.

Coinbase Perpetual Futures: Where Are They Supported?

Perpetual futures trading is available exclusively through Coinbase International Exchange, regulated by Bermuda’s Financial Authority (BMA). Eligible users outside the U.S. can trade perpetual contracts for:

All trades settle in USDC with up to 10x leverage. However, this service is not available to retail investors in the UK, reflecting FCA restrictions on crypto derivatives.

Users must pass a qualification assessment within the platform to gain access, and availability varies even among eligible jurisdictions.

Coinbase Staking: Regional Eligibility

Staking is offered in most supported countries but faces restrictions in select U.S. states such as California and New Jersey, where new staking positions are prohibited—though existing participants may continue earning rewards.

Outside the U.S., staking eligibility depends on local legislation. Users should check their account dashboard for:

👉 Learn how staking and derivatives platforms balance innovation with compliance across borders.

Licensing and Regulatory Approvals

Coinbase holds multiple financial licenses globally, enhancing trust and operational legitimacy:

As a publicly listed company, Coinbase files regular disclosures with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), promoting transparency despite ongoing legal disputes over whether certain tokens constitute unregistered securities.

Does Coinbase Require KYC Verification?

Yes. All users must complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification to use core services like trading, staking, or withdrawals.

To verify identity, Coinbase may request:

Personal data is encrypted and stored securely in compliance with privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA. Users may be asked to reverify their information periodically or after suspicious activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use Coinbase in India?
A: Full services were paused in India in 2023 due to regulatory challenges. However, Coinbase is working toward re-entering the market with proper licensing and compliance frameworks.

Q: Why is Coinbase not available in my country?
A: Access may be blocked due to U.S. sanctions (e.g., OFAC lists) or local regulatory uncertainty. Check your region’s status directly on the platform.

Q: Are there alternatives if I’m in a restricted country?
A: Some decentralized exchanges (DEXs) operate without geographic restrictions, though they lack custodial security and customer support.

Q: Is KYC mandatory on Coinbase?
A: Yes. KYC is required for all financial activities to comply with global AML regulations.

Q: Can I trade perpetual futures from Europe?
A: Yes, if you're outside the U.S. and pass eligibility checks—but retail clients in the UK cannot access this feature due to FCA rules.

Q: What stablecoins are supported under MiCA?
A: Only MiCA-compliant stablecoins like USDC and EURC are fully integrated; others like USDT have been delisted from regulated services.

Final Thoughts

Coinbase continues to lead the global crypto exchange landscape with operations in over 100 countries, strong regulatory alignment—including full MiCA compliance—and continuous innovation in product offerings like staking and perpetual futures.

While access remains restricted in sanctioned regions such as Iran, North Korea, Crimea, and parts of South Asia, the platform demonstrates agility in navigating complex legal environments. With ongoing efforts to re-enter strategic markets like India and maintain transparency through SEC filings, Coinbase remains at the forefront of regulated digital asset infrastructure.

Whether you're a beginner investor or an experienced trader, understanding regional availability and compliance requirements is essential for maximizing your experience on one of the industry’s most established platforms.

👉 Stay ahead of global crypto access trends with insights from leading financial innovation hubs.